Skip to main contentJusta Pasta stands out from Portland's profusion of upscale-casual Italian spots with a warm, attractive interior and inventive specials. The loft-chic style avoids harshness, with warm colors and lots of plants. The standard menu is basic—a handful of pastas combine with marinara, alfredo, and so on—but the specials are where the action is, like a recent penne dish tossed with pancetta, mushrooms, tomatoes and sugar snap peas. The spot is one of the best deals you'll find in Northwest, especially with the dirt-cheap small-portion options. At these prices you don't have to think twice about throwing in a salad or an enormous slice of silky, almondy cheesecake. It makes for a relaxing weekday lunch break as much for the comforting food as for the out-of-the-way location, just removed from Northwest's more bustling 'hoods. Speedy service expedited by a counter-ordering system means you can spend more time enjoying your meal. (SC)
WWeek 2015